Two more cylinders is the difference between jump and leap for the Audi R8 5.2, the new 525-horsepower, V-10 model for 2010.

It joins the 420-hp, V-8-powered R8 4.2, which has been on sale for two years. But it is still a camera-phone opportunity when people see one of these on the road.

The V-10 is a supercar phenomenon, really, because it does everything right and it looks like a million bucks.

The seats are well-bolstered but not so extreme as to wear prematurely from the owner scraping across the leather. The cabin is open with good shoulder room and good sightlines, for a sports car — and superior to the Lamborghini Gallardo, which shares this platform. But a rearview camera is included with the standard navigation system.

If the owner happens to have a Corvette and Ferrari 360 in the garage, the R8 will be the daily driver because it is so forgiving and encouraging. The chin is low but doesn’t scrape on driveways or dips in the road. The suspension is firm, not harsh, and the long wheelbase makes ride quality smooth and consistent.

At high speeds, the R8 comes to life. Car and driver become one, and only the lightest steering, throttle and brake inputs are required for complete control.

The V-8 is no nag and will do everything the V-10 can do, just not as quickly.

The V-10 will cover 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (the V-8 does it in 4.4 seconds), and it accelerates with ferocity and a gripping engine howl.

For that blink-of-an-eye difference, the cost is almost $32,000 more for the V-10 and the weight is about 110 pounds more for the added cylinders.

The starting price of the 5.2 ranges from $147,200 with six-speed manual transmission to $158,400 with the R tronic automated manual. With options, the test car was $172,250, including the $1,200 freight charge and $2,100 gas-guzzler tax.

Pricing for the R8 4.2 is unchanged from 2009: $115,400 with the six-speed manual to $124,500 with R tronic automated manual, including $1,200 freight charge. “Gas-guzzler tax” is such an ugly term, particularly because the V-10 gets 2 mpg better highway fuel economy than the V-8: 13/20, using premium fuel.

New features include a standard iPod interface and an option for carbon-fiber trim on the door sills, exterior mirrors and body kit. There’s also an optional parking assist system.

Other changes include a titanium finish to the wheels and paint colors of Lava Gray and, only for the 5.2, Sepang Blue. The Napa-leather upholstery is available in Amulet Red. Illuminated door sills are also available.

There are also some body-style differences to separate the 5.2 from the 4.2, but the cars would need to be side by side to notice them. Among the distinctions:

— High-gloss-black air inlet grilles, spoiler lip and air outlet grilles at the rear.

— Single-frame grille in high-gloss black with vertical and horizontal chrome slats.

— Uninterrupted rear center section in high-gloss black.

— Flared side blades.

— Flared rocker panels.

— Larger rear diffuser.

— Oval exhaust pipes.

— Specific instrument cluster, gear knob and door handles.

Exotics are supposed to have that snorting, bites-back uncertainty. With R8, the drama is in the styling, not in how it handles.

SPECS BOX

2010 Audi R8 5.2

Body style: compact, all-wheel-drive coupe with midmounted, longitudinal V-10

Engine: 5.2-liter V-10 spark-ignition engine with FSI direct injection, 90-degree cylinder angle, four-valve technology, double overhead camshafts, intake manifold with charge movement flaps, naturally aspirated high-revving setup to 8,700 rpm.

Horsepower: 525 at 8,000 rpm

Torque: 391 foot-pounds at 6,500 rpm

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission with launch control; optional R tronic with launch control; shift times usually less than 0.1 second

EPA fuel economy estimates: 13 mpg city, 20 highway; 91 octane recommended

Fuel capacity: 23.8 gallons

Length/wheelbase: 174.6/104.3 inches

Curb weight: 3,726 pounds

Drag coefficient: 0.36

PERFORMANCE

Acceleration: 0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds

Top speed: 196 mph

Lateral acceleration: 1.2 g

CHASSIS

Brakes: four-wheel discs, internally vented, with eight-piston calipers front and four-piston rear

Steering: Hydraulically assisted rack-and-pinion; 38.7-foot turning circle

Suspension: Aluminum double wishbone front and rear; higher tuning than V-8

Tires and wheels: 235/35 91Y front, 295/30 100Y rear

FEATURES

Standard 5.2 equipment includes: full LED headlight assembly (optional on R8 4.2), MMI cabin controller with central display screen, driver information system with lap-timer; aluminum Audi Space Frame; Audi Magnetic Ride adaptive damping system with manual Sport and Normal modes; Bluetooth hands-free phone interface; Audi Parking System with front and rear cameras (optional on 4.2); navigation system plus real-time traffic (optional on 4.2); Bang & Olufsen 12-speaker sound system (optional on 4.2) with MP3/CD capability, dual SD memory-card slots, iPod input, Sirius satellite radio and six-disc CD changer

PRICING

Base: $158,400, including $1,200 freight charge and $2,100 gas-guzzler tax

Price as tested: $172,250

Performance Modes

The R8 V-10 has launch-control features on both R tronic- and manual-transmission models. For that competitive edge in a sporting arena, launch control helps put the R8 out in front. Here’s how it works:

MANUAL:

— Car is at rest, idling. No hand brake, steering wheel straight.

— Electronic Stability Program in Sport mode (not off).

— Put car in first gear.

— Push in clutch.

— Floor it: gas pedal all the way down. The engine will rev to 8,000 rpm and then drop to between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm. Launch control is now active.

Let go of the clutch very quickly and you’re off.

R TRONIC:

— Engine running, press ESP off until message “ESP Sport” appears (same as above).

— Press brake pedal with left foot.

— Engage gear.

— Press “Sport” button right below the R tronic shifter.

— Press accelerator with right foot until engine has a constant speed.

— Remove left foot from brake and you’re off.